Apple to reportedly use drones to improve its Maps service

If you know how to fly a drone and get things done from that small, four-winged, remote controlled flying machine, big shot companies like Apple may just be looking for you.

The Cupertino tech giant is reportedly planning to use drones and new radio positioning systems to perk up its Maps service. This could help it update areas faster than its current method, augment its new features relating to better car navigation and ultimately chase down Google Maps – the only competitor outside the Apple bound space.

Though the information was revealed by unnamed sources to Bloomberg, Apple declined to make an official statement about it. For its Maps service, the method would at least reduce errors that currently show up while using the app. Flying drones around the streets will help its data team examine a large area more frequently, precisely and irrespective of an approach path being available. The service could then also quickly report road constructions, big breakdowns and other last minute information.

Though most Apple users preferred Google Maps when it was first made available in 2012, three years later Horace Dediu figured in his study titled Where Are Maps Going that they had become about three times more popular among iOS users.Apple CEO Tim Cook recently inaugurated a new operations center in Hyderabad, India dedicated to Apple Maps. A big portion of 4000 people employed at the center would be working towards data collection and subtle ground work to gather minute details to make Apple Maps more competitive.

When it is said ground work, it means Apple is using Maps Vehicles to go around the streets of the world to collect data. But as it turns out, it may not be the fastest way keep a digital map updated.

Amazon announced plans to use drones for shipping packages last year and started testing them in the UK. Courier services UPS and Royal mail tested them for delivery to remote locations; from tech-giant Qualcomm to the local city police in several nations, drones have become the way to get things done cheaply and more effectively.